Rev. Suzanne "Sam" Kouns, age 71, a resident of Glen Ellyn, IL, died Friday, May 27, 2016 at Alexian Brothers Hospice Center in Elk Grove Village after a sudden and short battle with cancer. She was born July 23, 1944 in Chicago, IL, grew up in Oak Lawn , IL, and graduated from Elmhurst College in Elmhurst, IL and received her masters of Divinity from Chicago Theological Seminary.

Sam's early work included stints as a project buyer and purchasing expediter in various Chicago area engineering firms. She went on to become a Pastor at Faith Church in Glen Ellyn as well as serving the Illinois Conference and Fox Valley Conference UCC as an intentional interim Minister.

A member of St. Matthew UCC in Wheaton over twenty years, she served on numerous committees, the church council, and as an interim pastor. She sang in all her church choirs and rang handbells in church for over forty years. She was a member of The Community Renewal Chorus in Chicago and Village Voices in Downers Grove.

She was an avid reader, crossworder and follower of political events. An accomplished seamstress, cross-stitcher and quilter, she was very active in the Glendale Heights Senior Center Quilting club after her retirement.

She was also a diehard Lego Maniac with her favorites being the Harry Potter and architectural series. An autocross champion in SCCA/TSSCC Solo II competition. An adult Member of Boy Scout Troop 44 in Glen Ellyn, serving as Chaplain and Advancement Chair and was honored to see her son Andrew receive the rank of Eagle Scout. She served as camp counselor for YMCA Camp Pinewood and Tower Hill UCC camp in Michigan. She also served as Camp Fire Girls coordinator.

She is survived by her husband of 36 years, John and her son Andrew and her Brothers, Charles and John Martschinke. Preceded in death by her father William C. Martschinke and mother Mary Ruth(nee Humphrey) Martschinke.

A visitation will be held on Friday, June 3, 2016 from 3 pm to 8 pm at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St. Wheaton, IL. A memorial service will be held at St. Matthew United Church of Christ , 1420 S. Gables Blvd, Wheaton, IL on Saturday, June 11, 2016 at 10:30 am.

Family asks memorials in lieu of flowers be directed to St. Matthew UCC Ministry of Music, 1420 S. Gables, Wheaton, IL.